QM2 October NY-Canada-NY log

Wednesday night, sailing to Quebec

Our heading is 298deg and we are at about 16 knots. We’ve had sea states of 3-4 at the most.

T

onight was the World Club party – actually parties. One was held at 5:15 and another at 7:45 as there are about 1300 members at gold level or higher. The top sailors are a mother and daughter who have 1808 nights on board – novices compared to some on the TAs. It adds to the ambiance when it is on a formal night. (I’m seeing about 75% of the women in short dresses and about half of the men in black tie.)

One think that was announced is that QM2 will start her 2016 world voyage to South American and will sail through the Straits of Magellan for French Polynesia and New Zealand. (No calls at California or Hawaii.)

Thursday, October 23rd

Clear, sunny

It is a glorious sunny day and as we enter the St. Lawrence River the ship’s wake continues for miles. Joggers are out about the deck and it’s pleasant enough from some readers to use the loungers. It’s 43degF/6degC but hardly any wind. Our heading is 276deg at 15knots. One hopes that our day in Quebec on Friday will be like this.

One think that was announced is that QM2 will start her 2016 world voyage to South American and will sail through the Straits of Magellan for French Polynesia and New Zealand. (No calls at California or Hawaii.)

http://www.cunard.com/campaigns/campaign-detail/2016-world-cruises/

Thursday evening, October 23rd The entire sunset horizon glowed with orange and purple. The ship’s motion can hardly be felt. We are to pick up the river pilot at about 9PM and dock in Quebec about 6:30AM. The local pilot will be on for quite an amount of time. It is confirmed that we are to dock directly below the Chateau de Frontenac. The night has turned rather cold, and we have some prediction of rain for tomorrow. As of now, our heading is 228deg, and we are doing just under 14knots.

Friday, October 24th

Docked in Quebec

We have the premier docking space in Quebec, just below the Chateau de Frontenac. At mid morning some local people have gathered along the Rue du Fort to observe QM2. The Aida Bella is moored behind us and Grander of the Seas has followed us into port – although they are in a more industrial section.

We began to dock very early, at about 5:45 AM. It was pretty windy but the wind was coming westerly instead of pushing us broadside. There’s a heavy cloud cover and it’s not just cool but approaching cold. It’s going to provide a lot of incentive to walk briskly. The go-ahead from local authorities is announced just before 8AM.

We seem to be bunkering from two tanker trucks – usually QM2 bunkers from oil barge. I cannot tell from here if it is fuel oil or marine gas. At mid-morning the crew is performing an emergency drill for a fire on deck 7, complete with fake smoke.

Saturday afternoon, October 25th,

At sea to New York

Sea days are the only real effective treatment for Regina Nervosa. On port days we miss QM2’s Noontime horn testing, which is an essential component for therapy.

I was unable to get the login page this morning so this update is somewhat delayed. One of our Insights speakers included the man who filmed the 2008 Three Queens meeting in New York and Southampton – the last to include QE2. He was also on board QM2 for the last tandem crossing, which was the better place to film QE2. At the end he mentioned that nothing had changed with her status in Dubai and it has now been two years since she went cold. Her interiors are undoubtedly deteriorating in the heat. (The story of QE2 is one which Stephen Payne has given in the UK but to the best of my knowledge never as an on board speaker. Perhaps Cunard fears it will lead to arguments that she should not have been withdrawn from service. If that’s the case it is unfortunate since what made her successful were incorporated into QM2.)

As I write this at mid-afternoon we have about 1000 miles to New York. Channel 41 is down right now but the view is showing a light fog. It’s downright cold on the promenade deck and only two people – bundled up and with the lounger protected by a bulkhead – are using them. The deck stewards will soon have to bring in the cushions as wind conditions have picked up to about a force 5. The propeller deck is closed due to high winds. One can really feel is on the forward port side.

Having just reached Platinum, I get my first invitation for the Senior Officer’s party tonight. There are so many of that it will be held in the Queens Room.

One of the portaits art works seems to have been replace by a photograph. I recall the engagement portrait of then-Princess Elizabeth and then-Captain Philip Montbatten. This was at the port side enterance of the Queens Room and had once been installed on the old Caronia. I distinctly remember it as full length and she was carrying a wide brim hat in her hand. (It can be seen in the background here.) The photograph now shows a cropped closeup of the couple. I wonder when and why the original was removed? Needed conservation? Needed for an exhibit?

Sunday, October 27th

Completely overcast

Overnight the sea sate was moderate and we had some rocking of the ship. At morning the balcony was soaked from overnight rain. As I write the cloud cover is thinning out to show some blue sky and the sea state is slight. The air temperature matches the ocean temperature of 10degC/50degF. We are doing about 17 knows in a 229deg heading. Since I am on the starboard side I won’t have a sunrise visible from my balcony until we are in Brooklyn. (I found a disgusting sight in my stateroom after breakfast – disembarkation information and luggage tags. The return to reality comes all too quickly.)

At the Senior Officer’s Party I learned that QM2 is qualifying various systems to use shore side power while in port, and the first test was in Halifax. The timetable is to use shore side in Brooklyn July 2015.

Some other observations – while it is good to see that almost everyone makes an effort to dress for formal night about one third of the outfits would never “pass” for black tie. No doubt the change from “semi-formal” to informal has pulled down the dress standards. I don’t want to find out what happens if the evening dress code is “loosened” even further.

On our deck a scooter user had repeatedly left their chariot out in the hall. I had personally reported two incidences to the Purser’s Desk. It hasn’t been a problem the last few days so the user eventually got the message. (We also have on our deck a full time wheelchair user who would never be able to get by this thing.) If anyone wonders why Cunard takes such a draconian position on scooter use this is a prime example. This person knows the rules and continued to ignore them and throw up a barricade to any other mobility assistance user.

Thanks for taking us along with you.

I too suffer from Regina Nervosa after just a single crossing on QM2 - sadly the treatment can only be palliative for the forseeable future as it is not trivial to access a cure from Australia ….

Sunday night, October 26th

Enroute to New York

At the Noon announcement Captain Oprey said that all of the stabilizers were deployed last night and the speed increased about 2 knots to help steady the ship. He was unable to change course as it was necessary to stay within the shipping lanes.

Today it is much calmer, and the skies looked as if they might clear. It was mild enough for a shuffleboard tournament on deck 12. A few people were lounging on the Grills deck 11 but most of the socializing was in the deck 12 pool. Every lounger there appeared occupied.

I was fortunate to have a coveted place on the Insider Tour. It’s really no more strenuous than a walking tour, but perhaps they make it sound more demanding than it is in order to discourage those whose bodies would betray them. The tour does not include any areas below the water line. We gathered in Connexions room 6 to hear the ground rules. If I remember all of the areas correctly it was the mooring deck, anchor deck, Medical Centre, baggage area where a display of firefighting equipment was set out complete with a crew member who “modeled” the bunker suit. (The “Master Key” is a 6-ft crow bar.) Then the environmental talk, trash sorting, and engine control room. The room also monitors elevators and refrigeration. (The officer quipped that if one gets lonely, just press the elevator intercom and they will answer.) Incongruously, among the state of the art video monitors, was an ancient dot matrix printer that used sprocket-fed fanfold paper. It would spit out something periodically and it had a notation that printouts were to be kept for one year.

Access to these areas takes in part of Burma Road, the corridor which runs the length of the ship. Anyone returning from a tendering lounge has seen the section marked “crew only” between B and C elevator banks.) From there we went to a food freezer and the heavy-duty areas of the Britannia galley – this area is not covered in the galley tours offered. The eight soup cookers were the size of hot tubs. From the galley we used an escalator to the upper level of Britannia for some refreshment. It was asked why the tours were not given more often, and we were frankly told that it’s more work for crew members in addition to everything else that they have to do.

From our break it was on to the backstage of the Royal Court Theater and finally the bridge. The third officer describes the operations as we gather in the port side bridge wing. There would be a group photo, but no individual photos.

We had the rare opportunity to view sunset from QM2’s bridge and Captain Oprey came to answer questions. I asked what were the worst storm conditions he encountered on this ship? Leaving New York ahead of Sandy and an earlier return from Quebec. Leaving New York ahead of Sandy required assistance from two of New York harbor’s most powerful tugs. The first attempt was unsuccessful and they could finally pull away when the winds abated. And the storm surge left a lot less clearance under the bridge. In the return from Quebec, three other ships had to return to port. For a while the sea was entirely white. QM2 sailed not out of bravado, but consideration was given to the schedule and construction of the ship. She sailed through it well.

The tour gave me a better appreciation of the ship and the entire city below the passenger decks that make her run.

As I write the winds have picked up to force 5/6 but with a slight sea state. Our speed is about 17 knots, heading 228 degrees.

Fascinating tour and great tidbits about her abilities in very stressful times. Thanks for writing all of that!

Monday, October 27th

Mid-afternoon

We are now past Cape Cod without any sight of land. The sea state is moderate – I’ve made my own gauge of sea state by observing how long it takes for her propeller wake to be obliterated. It’s quite windy and the propeller deck as again closed as are the doors on both sides that lead from the Winter Garden to the promenade deck. It’s probably due to the winds making them so difficult to open. Deck 6 aft is also closed. The only outdoor chair cushions out are those on the Grills deck and under the overhang.

Were it not too chilly and windy this would otherwise be a nice sunny sea day. Most passengers are disembarking in New York so the ship is in full wind-down mode as we anticipate the end of the voyage. Overall, we were fortunate with the weather. The only hiccup was the wind condition with prevented our docking in St. John.

We are scheduled to pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at 5:15 AM on Tuesday morning.

Monday, October 27th

Mid-afternoon

 

We are now past Cape Cod without any sight of land. The sea state is moderate – I’ve made my own gauge of sea state by observing how long it takes for her propeller wake to be obliterated. It’s quite windy and the propeller deck as again closed as are the doors on both sides that lead from the Winter Garden to the promenade deck. It’s probably due to the winds making them so difficult to open. Deck 6 aft is also closed. The only outdoor chair cushions out are those on the Grills deck and under the overhang.

 

Were it not too chilly and windy this would otherwise be a nice sunny sea day. Most passengers are disembarking in New York so the ship is in full wind-down mode as we anticipate the end of the voyage. Overall, we were fortunate with the weather. The only hiccup was the wind condition with prevented our docking in St. John.

 

We are scheduled to pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at 5:15 AM on Tuesday morning.

BlueRiband,

Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I appreciated the time and effort you put in and enjoyed it very much.

Jeanne

I enjoyed reading your blog while on board the Canadian Cruise.

I'm sure the rough seas made the cruise more enjoyable.thanks

I just decided to use up my free "satellite time", and discovered your blog....

very nicely done!

I too, was fortunate to be included on the "Behind the Scene's" Tour....I wish I had known who you were.....:)

I liked watching our 'tandem' sailing with the Maasdam for a while, on our last lap home.....:)

Tuesday, October 28th

New York

Passing under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge never gets old. There’s something majestic about seeing the shadow of QM2’s funnel pass under the girders. We had two NYPD boats escort us. At this hour it is so quiet that the only sounds are bells from the harbor buoys and the wake from her pods. Already the deck stewards are putting out the steamer cushions. Some are taking some last laps around her teak deck. It’s a very pleasant day in New York and those in tours prior to boarding flights back home will have pleasant time.

Having just reached Platinum level I can now use Todd English as a disembarkation lounge. It’s definitely a nice perk – coffee, tea, Danish and some local newspapers.

As I write there is a wonderful view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the morning traffic the harbor. The only time this view is even better is embarkation day. I hope this little log was of therapeutic benefit to fellow sufferers of Regina Nervosa. For me it will have to be since my next “treatment” won’t take place until next summer.

I have greatly enjoyed your postings. Thank you for your effort. My wife and I sail on QE on 11/14/14 for 14 days and can't wait. We are Elite on Princess and it has been 15+ years since I sailed Cunard and she never has. Looking forward to it. Greg

Thanks for taking the time to post. I have a friend who has been aboard the same cruise as you are, and though she hasn't been online during the voyage your posts were a nice way to track the QM2 and how the voyage was going in general. Thanks again.

Thank you for posting. Absolutely embarkation:D is definitely better than disembarkation:( That is a heartbreaking thing having to leave "The Lady".

We've just gotten home, same voyage! I couldn't have described it all better! Thank you so much for posting. I agreed with all you said and am now experiencing a relapse of RN....It will probably be a severe case as we don't have another voyage booked yet. Will need to get out the catalogs, schedules, calendars, etc. and start to peruse......it's only a placebo for the real thing!! Thanks again for the great blog!

Linda